A Metro worker was attacked as young yobs took over a station platform and forced trains to pass through without stopping.
Security and police presence has today been stepped up at Tynemouth Metro Station after the incident on Monday night, in which a train window was also broken.
Transport operator Nexus said it was unsafe for trains to stop at the historic coastal station for around half an hour last night after a large group of teenagers gathered on the platform.
A member of Nexus' security team was assaulted in the incident and Northumbria Police had to be called to disperse the crowd. There will now be a dedicated security team based at Tynemouth and nearby stations during the school holidays, and images from Metro CCTV will now be shared with local schools in a bid to identify the yobs.
Nexus' Customer Services Director, Huw Lewis, said: “At Tynemouth last night we had a security team on the station but it was faced with a very large group of local teenagers. We called on Northumbria Police to encourage them to disperse, and we had trains pass through the station for a time without stopping.
“A window was broken on board a train and a member of our security team was assaulted. This is unacceptable and the police are investigating. We will use CCTV and share this with local schools to find the people responsible. We are also keeping security teams at Tynemouth and nearby stations during the school holiday."
Trains did not stop at Tynemouth between around 9.20pm and 9.50pm last night after a train window was smashed and six female teenagers were removed by Metro staff.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Shortly before 9.10pm yesterday we received a report of a disturbance at Tynemouth Metro Station.
“It was reported that a window had been smashed on a metro carriage and six female teenagers had been removed from the service by Metro staff.
“Officers attended the station and enquiries into the damage are on-going.
"Later that evening at about 11.30pm, officers were called back where they dispersed a number of young people who were congregating in the area and behaving in an anti-social manner."
The incident comes just over a week after a 16-year-old boy was attacked by a gang of young thugs at Palmersville Metro Station.
At around the same time another 16-year-old was assaulted near Tynemouth Metro Station.
And Mr Lewis has warned that anyone causing trouble on the Metro will face action.
"We will never accept any level of anti-social behaviour on public transport, or any form of assaults towards our team or customers using public transport. We are working closely with the police and local authorities, with the help of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and will use all available resources we have," he said.
“People who cause trouble on Metro face prosecution, and persistent offenders will be banned from the network, or could see their families evicted from council homes where they are a wider nuisance in the community.
“The vast majority of our customers enjoy comfortable, trouble-free journeys without coming across the anti-social behaviour we saw at Tynemouth last night. But these incidents are unsettling for people that do see them and with the help of the police and local authorities we want to address them head-on.
“We have more people than ever working on stations and trains to reassure customers and deter anti-social behaviour, including dedicated security patrols."
Mr Lewis has also called on the Government to help address the issue of youth anti-social behaviour in the wake of the coronavirus lockdowns.
He added: “Metro is a safe way to travel, but we face the same problem seen across communities since we emerged from the lockdowns – groups of young people gathering in the evening some of whom behave unpleasantly and cause trouble.
"This is a national problem which needs community solutions, funded by the Government, alongside the security actions we are taking as a train operator."
Police have also stepped up patrols at Tynemouth Metro Station in response to the disorder.
The police spokeswoman added: "Officers will continue to work closely with Nexus colleagues to help ensure the network remains safe for passengers.
“An increased police presence will remain in place at Tynemouth Metro for the foreseeable future.”
